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Bleeding Edge TV 243: Bowers and Wilkins Zeppelin iPod/iPhone dock

Bowers and Wilkins has long been known for their stunning audiophile loudspeaker and home theater equipment so it’s no surprise that their foray into the / speaker dock territory is an impressive one. The new Zeppelin dock features a subwoofer and two midrange/tweeters all in a single compact unit. The odd football shape does indeed bring to mind it’s airship namesake with a look that is sure to draw a second look for passers by. The downside - it’s $600; or $200 more than you spent on the iPhone that goes in it.

In the video we show off the product, and even demonstrate how it handles an iPhone taking a call while in use. Amazingly, there is no GSM interference to be found. Definitely a plus.


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PC Mag Suggests HDTVs

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: HDTV, Home Entertainment,

Panasonic TH42PZ700UWhile we were pondering the thought of purchasing our own HDTV for Superbowl Sunday plant, we found that PC mag had given their top choices, giving us a suggestion list that was at least a start. Here are their choices:

  • 42-inch JVC LT-42X898

  • 60-inch Pioneer Elite KUROPRO-150FD LG 47 LBX plasma

  • Panasonic 42-inch TH-42PZ700U

  • Mitsubishi 62-inch WD-65833 rear-projection TV

  • Westinghouse 47-inch TX-47F430S

  • 37-inch Toshiba 37HL67 LCD

  • Samsung 42-inch HP-S4273 plasma HDTV

    Perhaps this will help you decide if you are pre-football game shopping. The sales people might think you are more knowledgeable if you call them by their formal numbers.

    Read More | PC Magazine

  • CES 2008 Video: Logitech Harmony ONE Remote, diNovo Bluetooth keyboard

    At , showed us some cool gadgets to enhance your home entertainment system. First was the diNovo Mini Palm-Size Keyboard, a little larger than an eyeglass case, which controls either your media-center PC or a computer hooked-up to a TV, depending on your setup. For example, you can use the diNovo to scan through the photos on your laptop—and display them on your TV. Plus, it’s Bluetooth-enabled ...in case you’d like to type and send a text to your bud’s phone without reaching for your cell.

    We also loved Logitech’s newest Harmony One remote control with touch screen. Just hook it up to your computer via USB, and the accompanying software helps you program all your devices (and more) to the remote. This one will be available at the end of January for $250 USD.


    CES 2008 Video: The new Sharp AQUOS LCD HDTV line

    We visited at and checked out their TV specifically for gamers. It’s the GP3 Series of 1080p LCD TVs, with a 6 millisecond response time, which reduces lag time between your beloved console and the TV. It’s even available in 3 cool colors: Red, White or Black. Available for $1500. We also checked out their D64 Series of LCDs, 20% lighter and thinner than the previous D62 Series. Sizes range from 32” - 65” and are available now.

    We loved AquosNet, an internet service in which up-to-the-minute, customizable information (weather, stocks, sports, traffic, Hollywood news and more) appears on the side of the TV screen at the push of a button. AquosNet is free with the SC94 and D74 Series.


    CES 2008: Zeppelin Best Audio Component

    Zeppelin

    Bowers & Wilkins’ Zeppelin captured the Best Audio Component Award at this year’s CES. Compatible with nanos, 5G iPods, as well as other MP3 players, it will hold thousands of digital stereo tracks and looks kewl as well. It features a frequency range of -6dB at 47Hz, a 22kHz amplifier, and a power output 1x 50W (bass) 2x 25W (midrange/tweeter.) Connect with inputs of 30-pin iPod or 3.5 mini-jack or TOS link and output by S-video. At a size of 7.8 x 25.2 x 8.2-inches and a weight of 16.5 lbs, the Zeppelin is available at the Apple Store for $599.95.

     

    Read More | Bowers & Wilkins

    CES 2008: Slingbox PRO-HD

    Slingbox PRO-HD

    Sling Media, Inc. has announced the newest iteration of Slingbox. The Slingbox PRO-HD is capable of placeshifting over the air, cable, satellite and even DVR HD signals to a computer in the house. 

    When the PRO-HD is used with a , the PRO-HD will stream HD content in either 4:3 and 16:9 to another TV in the house, and when the PRO-HD and Slingcatcher are combined with an upload connection speed of 1.5 - 2Mbps, the PRO-HD will stream HD content to another television or computer anywhere, without down-converting the resolution to EDTV. 

    Slingbox PRO-HD will be available in the 3rd quarter of 2008 with an estimated MSRP of $400.00. We will have some video up of this, along with the Slingcatcher, up on our CES 2008 video page.


    CES 2008: Pioneer Kuro HDTV Concept: 50-inch, 9mm Thin Plasma

    Posted by Chris Cardinal Categories: CES, CES 2008, HDTV,

    Pioneer KURO

    Billed as being “thinner than last month’s Wired magazine” and similarly thinner than an iPhone, Pioneer unveiled their Kuro concept model at their press conference today. The 50-inch plasma weighs in at a relatively paltry 41 lbs and just 9 mm thick. They also claim they’ve “made contrast ratios irrelevant” by eliminating ALL idling luminance, producing completely true blacks. We’ll see how it looks later this week, as they’ll have their concept on the show floor but the early photos they have are impressive to say the least.

    Since these are merely concepts, they won’t be available for another year or so but it clearly shows the direction Pioneer is going with their form factors and by “obsoleting” contrast ratios.

    Look forward to some video coverage on the floor unit once the show opens up.


    CES 2008: Harmony One: The one remote to rule them all

    Posted by Sparky Categories: CES, CES 2008, Misc. Tech, Movies, Music, Peripherals,

    Logitech Harmony One

    As always has raised the bar for home media automation with the Harmony One. The -unveiled Harmony One shares features previous Harmony home theater remotes by offering the same easy to use action based control, wizard based setup options on your computer, rechargeable batteries, and a contextual 2.2” LCD screen.

    The Harmony One has touch sensitive buttons that both look and feel far more modern than it’s predecessors. The remotes sleek new piano-black finish will be appearing on store shelves soon for an undisclosed price. Be on the look out for a full in-depth review as soon as we can get our media-loving mitts on this new remote. In the meantime, we have the full release available for you, after the jump.

    Click to continue reading CES 2008: Harmony One: The one remote to rule them all


    Bleeding Edge TV 196: My DVR Expander TiVo Storage Booster

    We know that everyone could use a bit more storage capacity in thier Series3 or TiVo HD units. Luckily, Western Digital has released My DVR Expander - a 500GB eSATA disk that is perfect for bumping up your TiVo’s storage capacity. We show you how it works in this episode.

    As for the My DVR Expander unit itself, here is an overview from Western Digital:

    Instantly add up to 60 hours of high-definition TV or up to 300 hours of standard-definition TV to your eSATA-enabled DVR. You’ll have plenty of room to save your programs longer and never miss your favorite shows.

    Key Features

    Easy to set up, easy to use - Just plug it in to the external SATA (eSATA) port on your DVR and start recording even more TV shows, sporting events and movies. eSATA port must be active.

    Compatible - My DVR Expander has been tested for compatibility with Scientific Atlanta 8300 Series, and has been TiVo verified compatible with TiVo® Series3 and TiVo HD DVRs. Check with your cable service provider to confirm compatibility with their system.

    Quiet and Cool - A unique no-fan passive cooling system and special hard drive design makes it quiet for the living room or bedroom.

    Low-intensity LED - Designed with a soft amber LED indicator, ideal for the living room or bedrooms.

    As we note in the video, once you hook up and activate the My DVR Expander, if you ever choose to disconnect it from your DVR, you will lose all the content that is stored on it.


    Movie Rentals Coming to iTunes

    20th Century FoxIndustry insiders are reporting that a deal has been struck between and .  This agreement would allow iTunes users to now rent movies from the online service.  The films from the Fox catalogue would only be available for only a limited time.

    Although no price has yet been set, the rentals should come cheaper than the movies for purchase.  More details on this service are expected to be announced at the January Macworld conference.

    Read More |

    Reuters


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